Monday morning links

TOP STORIES
Caterpillar to Cut 20,000 Jobs - Bloomberg
Sprint Nextel to cut up to 8,000 jobs - Reuters
Bad news: we're back to 1931. Good news: it's not 1933 yet - Telegraph
BofA played role in $4 billion Merrill bonuses - Reuters
State lawmakers bet gambling can help with budgets - AP
U.S. bankers avoid glitz of Davos, image a concern - Reuters
Pelosi says more money may be needed for banks - MarketWatch

MARKETS/INVESTING
Gold Rises to Highest in Three Months - Bloomberg
Investors await earnings, Obama's stimulus plan - AP
Gasoline prices continue steady rise: survey - Reuters
Oil Cartel Keeps Cuts on Track - NY Times
Car parts sector looks for $10bn federal bail-out - FT

ECONOMY
Obama pushes stimulus plan, meets economic team - AP
What's Wrong with the Populist Stimulus Plan - BusinessWeek
Democrats: Stimulus plan no quick fix for economy - AP
Economy in free fall in fourth quarte - MarketWatch

INTERNATIONAL
China’s ‘Severe’ Challenges Create Budget Woes - Bloomberg
Economic Crisis Fuels Unrest in E. Europe - Washington Post
Putin Blames Bush for Ukraine Gas War, Is ‘Optimistic’ on Obama - Bloomberg
Iceland's prime minister: government has collapsed amid financial crisis - Chicago Tribune
Asian Stocks Rise as Shippers Advance on Fees; Contractors Drop - Bloomberg
Euro, Pound Fall on Speculation Economic Woes Will Be Prolonged


HOUSING
U.K. House Prices Fell Annual 9.4% in January, Hometrack Says - Bloomberg
Should you buy, hold or sell in this housing market? - ABC News
Developer reflects on Inland Empire housing market, economy - Trading Markets
Rio Vista - hard times in a small town - SF Gate

FED/TREASURY/BANKING
Bernanke Risks ‘Very Unstable’ Market as He Weighs Buying Bonds - Bloomberg
Highest Rates in Generation Confront Everyone Without Fed Funds - Bloomberg
Nationalization Gets a New, Serious Look - NY Times
Fed expected to keep rates at record lows - AP
Fed focus turns to credit easing at policy meeting - Reuters

INTERESTING
$200 Laptops Break a Business Model - NY Times
Female Companionship Extends Sex Lives of Male Mice - LiveScience